Ch.148Chapter 148: Aftermath (1)

#

Outside, the cold northern wind was proudly announcing to the world that it was the dead of winter.

Despite my body harboring a moderate fatigue…

With each step I took toward my quarters…

The memory of Shizu briefly holding me back at the infirmary and leaving a warm trace on my lips became increasingly vivid.

My tired body and mind kept trying to rise to the surface.

I had believed that the cold wind would cool the heat I felt when our lips met.

Far from cooling down, I experienced something similar to how the body heats up again to maintain temperature after being washed with cold water.

Realizing that if I entered my quarters in this state, I would likely spend the night wide awake…

I momentarily stopped my steps toward the dormitory and then…

“Haah…”

I let out a faint sigh to release the heat building up in my head and chest.

As soon as the sigh left my mouth, it transformed into white breath mixing with the night air in a spectacular scene.

The heat in my head and chest subsided a little.

But as expected, one sigh was woefully insufficient to cool the heat her lips had transferred to me.

This endlessly rising heat might only subside if I stayed in this cold place all day.

But if I did that, even with my enhanced regenerative abilities and well-trained body…

I would certainly end up bedridden for days.

“Let’s just go.”

I decided my course of action in a low voice and resumed walking toward my quarters.

With each step I took, I tried hard to forget the softness of Shizu’s lips that remained vivid in my mind…

And the heat that continued to rise in my chest.

After walking for a few minutes, I finally reached my quarters, which had been my desired destination since leaving the infirmary.

But upon seeing the entrance door with my own eyes, what came out of my mouth wasn’t an expression of joy at finally being able to rest, but…

“…Will I be able to sleep properly?”

I could only express concern about whether I’d be able to sleep properly even after lying down in bed.

And for once, my prediction turned out to be exactly right.

Even after washing my body clean and lying down in bed, because of what had happened earlier…

I tossed and turned, struggling to fall asleep, and ended up greeting the rising sun in a state of half-sleep.

#

After spending the night wide awake, morning arrived.

The first voice from another person that I heard as I struggled to open my eyes was…

[…Did those damn demonic beasts invade this place again while I was sleeping, not knowing their place?]

It was Fafnir’s voice, filled with equal parts mischief and concern, resonating in my head.

Since I could clearly understand the intent behind his question…

“Nothing like that happened.”

I immediately answered while trying to gather my drowsy consciousness.

…I couldn’t help the languid energy in my voice due to the lack of strength, though.

Normally, seeing my drowsy state like this…

He would have scolded me, saying that proper body management is an essential element for becoming a hero, but…

[But why does your face look like you’re dying from lack of proper sleep?]

Fafnir’s voice in my head conveyed, without filter, his puzzlement and mischief at seeing me not properly recovered from fatigue.

…Usually, I would have clearly explained what happened, but…

‘How can I tell him I couldn’t sleep properly because Shizu surprised me with a kiss?’

No matter how I thought about it, conveying this incident to Fafnir would definitely be embarrassing…

[Can’t you press lips with your fiancée anytime? Don’t humans express affection?]

…Huh?

[I can hear everything, you fool.]

…Ah, so it’s exposed.

Perhaps due to my drowsy mind making me less adept at controlling my inner thoughts from being heard by Fafnir…

His reaction to reading my unfiltered inner thoughts was impressive.

[Hmm…]

A sigh like someone drawing in a sharp breath echoed in my head, and then…

[Huh! Hahahahahahaha!!!]

What followed was his boisterous laughter, as if a dam of held-back laughter had finally burst.

It was no exaggeration to say my head felt shaken.

The volume of Fafnir’s sudden laughter was so loud and intense that it naturally awakened my mind, like cold water being poured over my head.

If it had only been loud and intense, it would have ended with just the good role of awakening my drowsy mind.

[Hm…hmm, oh my stomach, kuhahahahaha!!]

Even though I was only hearing his voice, I could almost visualize how desperately Fafnir was trying to suppress the laughter bursting from his mouth.

The problem was that he wasn’t succeeding.

“…”

Hearing all this in my head, I could only close my eyes and fold my arms, waiting for Fafnir’s laughter to stop, unable to find words to retort.

Without having touched a drop of alcohol…

The sound of Fafnir’s laughter resonating in my head was making me feel as if I had a hangover.

“…”

His laughter was making my head spin.

My strength was draining away.

Despite having been jolted awake by his laughter…

My awakened body and mind showed signs of sinking back below the surface of consciousness.

I had the idle thought that if I closed my eyes and tried to sleep now, I might be able to get a deep sleep.

No, if I disrupted my sleep schedule, I might not be able to sleep properly at night again.

Today, being the most leisurely day after the end of the Subjugation Festival, I should compromise by reducing my activity level, enduring the temptation of sleep, and going to bed early.

Having organized my thoughts, I slowly opened my eyelids that I was about to close when…

[Instead of just thinking about it, why don’t you get up?]

‘I was about to.’

As I tried to get up in response to Fafnir’s urging…

Thump, thump

The footsteps reaching my ears again confirmed my thoughts.

Although the aura emanating from the owner of the footsteps was still faint…

The regular and slow approaching footsteps conveyed not a sense of urgency to deliver something desperately…

But rather a clear purpose to handle a task that needed to be done…

Without being pressed for time to complete it.

By now, it was clear that while someone had business with me, it wasn’t an urgent matter requiring tension.

But even if there was no need for tension, it didn’t mean I could just remain sprawled out like this.

Since there was time, I should at least prepare to properly receive whoever was approaching me.

[The footsteps aren’t that fast, but if you dawdle, you’ll definitely end up greeting your guest looking disheveled, so hurry up.]

If even Fafnir had stopped teasing me and was nagging me to hurry and prepare, I should stop and get ready to receive my guest.

I quickly got up from the bed, stood in front of the mirror, lightly fixed my hair with my hands…

And put on my coat to be presentable for the guest who would soon arrive.

Knock, knock

With a measured yet relaxed rhythm, someone knocked on the door of my quarters.

“Cal Ranos, student, are you in your quarters right now?”

A polite male voice was heard from beyond the door.

As expected, it was a visitor with business for me.

In that case, it would be courteous to invite them in.

“It’s open, you may come in.”

I invited the guest in so they wouldn’t have to wait outside.

“Then…”

As I heard the person outside saying they would be intruding, accompanied by the sound of hinges turning smoothly…

An Imperial Knight, who appeared to be four or five years older than me, entered my quarters.

Though not armed, the emblem that must be worn on the shoulder by anyone with a knighthood on the battlefield clearly indicated this person’s status.

He wasn’t wearing the emblem with the sun embroidery symbolizing the Imperial Knights…

But the emblem with a pair of silver-shining wings embroidered on it revealed that this man had earned his knighthood through his own abilities.

I know this person well.

While he probably doesn’t know much about me beyond my name, he was a familiar figure to me with my memories from the previous timeline intact.

I don’t remember his name clearly, but he was my sister’s dedicated adjutant knight.

When I visited this fortress as a mercenary, he wasn’t a regular knight but a veteran knight.

It seems he’s still a regular knight now.

Well, since the guest had entered, I needed to greet him.

“Hello, what brings you to me?”

I greeted him with a slight bow, showing as much respect as I could, albeit in a simplified manner.

On the frontlines where real combat could break out at any moment, rank or insignia earned through one’s abilities takes precedence over social status according to Imperial law.

It’s only natural for an ordinary student of the Cradle to show respect and deference to someone who has earned an Imperial knighthood, which is difficult to achieve even with considerable effort.

Even if they’re not an Imperial Knight but a regular knight.

There was no noticeable change in the adjutant’s expression as he faced me greeting him respectfully.

“The Deputy Commander has urgent business and asks that you come to her office as soon as possible.”

Judging by the softness that accompanied the politeness in his voice as he conveyed his message…

He seemed pleased with my reception.

Anyway, having heard his business, I needed to respond appropriately with proper etiquette.

“I understand. I just woke up, so please tell the Deputy Commander that I will come right after making myself presentable.”

I conveyed my intention to visit my sister’s office immediately.

…My mind must still be foggy, as I almost referred to her as “sister” in an official matter before correcting myself.

“Understood. I’ve delivered the message, so then…”

Not seeming to mind such a trivial slip…

The adjutant, having confirmed my response, was about to withdraw with a brief acknowledgment and bow when…

“…Ah, the Deputy Commander asked that you read this before coming to the office, so please take your time with it.”

Only after delivering a sealed envelope containing some kind of memo from my sister did he open the door and step outside.

Creak

With the slight creaking sound of the hinges, I was once again alone in my quarters.

…I had wanted to rest, but coincidentally, I now had something to do.

“Nngh…”

I should start my day by stretching lightly to loosen up my stiff body.

By the way, I wonder what business my sister has with me.

[Wouldn’t it be written in that note in the envelope?]

‘You’re right about that.’

I stopped stretching and carefully opened the sealed envelope to take out its contents.

The note inside the envelope was very small compared to the size of the envelope itself.

“…What a waste of paper.”

These words escaped my mouth involuntarily.

[Instead of making useless observations, check the contents of the note.]

‘Yes, yes.’

Not wanting to hear more nagging from Fafnir, I quickly picked up the note to check its contents, then…

I crumpled the note and burned it with flames I created by wrapping battle qi around my right hand.

[…Why did you do that?]

‘Seems like something troublesome has come up.’

[What is it?]

‘The Red Dragon Armor I wore yesterday.’

[…What about it?]

‘My sister wants me to explain what it is.’

[…]

My stiff body, my half-asleep mind.

What was needed to fully awaken my body and mind, which seemed ready to fall asleep at the slightest opportunity, was…

“The armor you wore yesterday. It wasn’t an ordinary armor, so come to my office as soon as you’re ready to explain its origin.”

This brief command from my sister was enough.

No matter how I thought about it…

Compared to when the Subjugation Festival was in full swing…

I had a feeling that the upcoming private meeting with my sister would bring great fatigue to my body and mind.